Chapter 3 - A Baby With a PriceRachel immediately called another flight attendant.
The man in Row 14 slipped the photograph into his pocket and smiled as if nothing had happened.
I pressed Leo against my chest.
He stirred, letting out a tiny cry.
“It's okay, sweetheart,” I whispered, though I wasn't sure whether I meant him or myself.
Victoria stared at the floor.
“Listen,” she said quietly. “You don't understand what you're getting involved in.”
I turned toward her.
“Then explain it.”
She looked at Leo.
“I was paid to retrieve something.”
“Something?”
Her eyes flicked toward my baby.
“Someone.”
My skin prickled.
Rachel stepped closer. “What exactly do you mean by retrieve?”
Victoria suddenly shook her head.
“I don't know anything about a photograph. I don't know that man. I was just supposed to make sure the baby was traveling on this flight.”
The words struck harder than any insult she had thrown at me.
“How do you know my son is on this flight?”
She said nothing.
I thought of the information I had shared while preparing for the trip. I'd posted a photograph online of Maya helping me pack Leo's tiny clothes. I'd mentioned that we were visiting my sister in Florida.
But those details didn't explain how a stranger had obtained his name, our flight number, and a photograph.
Maya opened her tablet.
“Mom, listen.”
Her recording played through the small speaker.
The sound was faint at first. Airport announcements echoed in the background.
Then Victoria's voice emerged.
“The infant is confirmed. Flight 427. Bennett family. I'll handle the mother.”
Another voice answered.
“And the transfer?”
“Before the plane lands, if possible. Otherwise, at arrivals.”
A cold silence fell over our row.
I looked at Victoria.
“Who hired you?”
She stared at the tablet as if it were a weapon pointed at her head.
Then she whispered a name.
“Mr. Cole.”
The man behind us suddenly moved toward the aisle.
Rachel raised her voice.
“Sir, please remain where you are.”
He ignored her.
May you like
He was heading toward us.
And he wasn't smiling anymore.
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